The First Half: Defensive Line

The numbers for A.J. Epenesa aren't as eye-popping as expected.

The Iowa junior defensive end has just 16 tackles, and only three sacks.

That's a product of the double-teams he has been seeing all season.

Epenesa, though, is still creating havoc. He has eight quarterback hurries, the most for the Hawkeyes, and has two pass breakups.

The concentration of opposing protection, though, has opened room for others on the line.

Defensive end Chauncey Golston is fourth on the team with 26 tackles, including 3 1/2 for loss. He has two sacks and three quarterback hurries.

Tackle Cedrick Lattimore has 18 tackles, including 1 1/2 sacks. Tackle Daviyon Nixon has 14 tackles, including 2 1/2 for loss and one sack. Combined, those two have six quarterback hurries.

The improved health of tackle Brady Reiff will bring more depth and talent to the line. Reiff has played in three games, but has 11 tackles.

Amani Jones, moved from linebacker to a stand-up defensive end spot, has seven tackles in six games. Austin Schulte, who has played six games at right tackle, has 10 tackles.

Best game — It's difficult to select one, because the line has been so good all season. Maybe the best, according to numbers, was the season opener against Miami (Ohio), when the RedHawks were held to 59 rushing yards on 25 carries.

Worst game — It's hard to call this a bad game. Iowa allowed 177 rushing yards on 53 carries against Penn State in last Saturday's 17-12 loss, but the line was worn down by the fourth quarter. The Hawkeyes did keep Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford contained. If you're grading Iowa's line, this game would have probably been a B, and the worst grade of the season.

Second-half outlook — The double-teams against Epenesa maybe can't last forever, particularly if there is an even better rush with the return of a healthy Reiff. But there will be a pick-your-poison every week for opposing defenses, and Epenesa is going to be the one they eliminate first.

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